The dreaded black tie invitation has just arrived. It's enough to make you start perspiring at the forehead.   Nerve-wracking thoughts and questions begin to form in your mind:
“I have to wear a bow tie…but I don't know how to tie it. Should my shoes be patent leather or something else? Should my shirt’s collar be lay-down or wing-tipped? Do I wear cufflinks?”

First, let’s review a little history. Griswold Lorillard of the tobacco family initially wore a short black waistcoat to an autumn ball in October of 1886 in Tuxedo, NY. Some guests were outraged; others rushed off to their tailors requesting imitations. The suit Lorillard wore to that event put the word “tuxedo” on the fashion map and in the dictionary.

Two kinds of customers come into my store looking for a tuxedo: those who want to rent and those who want to buy. For those who want to rent, I ask them what kind of a function they are attending. I then ask them why they think their invitation specified black tie attire. We both eventually agree that whoever requested the event be a black tie one did so because they want everybody at their function to look their absolute best.

My next question is a rhetorical one, though it gets right to the point: how can you look your best by renting a tuxedo?  A rented tuxedo has been worn countless times by different people. It is not made for you. It's made of a polyester or wool blend that will make your skin crawl. How then, can you look your very best in a rental worn by “ushers” in a few dozen weddings?

The customer’s response is very often the same, “Why should I spend the extra money if I only wear it once?” That's when I remind them that you never know when you'll get another black tie invitation. You never know who you are going to meet. And you never know who you are going to end up doing business with. You never know where these formal affairs can lead, especially business-related events.

I’ll then show the customer the difference between an exquisite gross grain lapel and trim—and the cheap velvet of a rental. I point out the difference between an elegant, peaked lapel and an everyday, notched lapel. I’ll also show him how a tuxedo can be cut or styled to fit his body.

Once I get him to see the light of day, we’ll proceed with the accoutrements. Of course, nothing highlights at night like a white shirt, but we don't like to limit our options. Certain men can look dashing in a variety of blues, pinks and ecru’s, with pleats or no pleats, five pleats or 10 pleats. We’ll look at  shoes that'll last a lifetime and perfectly compliment fine, black silk and cashmere socks.

And I’ll insist on showing him how to do the critical last loop on the butterfly bow tie—a technique that that once properly learned will never present a problem again.  And if it does he can always retrace the steps on our Web site. http://suityourself.com/tie_a_bowtie.asp

Lastly, I tell him to imagine an event where only the top executives of his company are invited. Or better yet, only the top executives of many other companies are invited. Do you still want to go in a rented tuxedo?! My advice is don't be afraid of the black tie invitation. Instead, buy yourself the best tuxedo you can afford. It's a quality lifetime investment.

You'll look and feel so good you might even find yourself with an escort on each arm.